Microsoft account security information overview

Overview

Security information refers to a phone number or secondary email address that we can use to contact you regarding account security. This information allows us to validate your identity before changes are made to your account. These changes can include a new password, billing information or contact information. This helps keep your account secure.

To help protect personal data, Microsoft is asking customers to take a few moments to verify that the security information for their Microsoft accounts is up to date. Depending on how long it’s been since you updated your security information, you may be prompted to sign in with your Microsoft account, add security information to your account, or verify the information in your Microsoft account.

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Sign in with your Microsoft account

If you haven't recently entered your Microsoft account email and password because the information is saved on your console, you may be asked to verify this information in case you need to download your profile or sign in to a new Xbox console.

If you're prompted to update or verify your password, you must do this within one week. If you don't update or verify your password within one week, Microsoft will lock your account to help protect it. Therefore, you won't be able to sign in again until you've verified your password.

Add security information to your Microsoft account

We can verify that you're the account owner and help you resolve issues with your account more quickly if you've added security information to your account. If you don't have a mobile phone number or alternative email address that you've set up as security information, you'll need to add it if prompted.

If you use an Xbox One console and are prompted to add security information, you can do this on the console by following the instructions displayed there. You'll enter a phone number or email address to which we can send a security code that you'll then use to access your account. We strongly recommend that you have at least two contact methods saved to your account in case you lose access to one or the other. For example, you may lose access to your email if you move or change email service providers.

Note You can also add security information through a web browser. To do this, follow the steps in the “Xbox 360 users” section below.

To add a phone number or email address, click or tap Add a new email address or Add a new phone number under “Security info helps keep your account secure”.

Enter a phone number or email address to which we can send a security code. We strongly recommend that you have at least two contact methods saved to your account in case you lose access to one or the other. For example, you may lose access to your email if you move or change email service providers.

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Verify the security information for your Microsoft account

When you add security information, you must verify that you can receive a security code at that email address or phone number. If you skipped this step when you first set up your account, you'll need to do this when you're prompted.

Xbox One users

If you're using an Xbox One console and are prompted to verify security information, you can do this on your console by following the instructions displayed there.

You're required to verify the Microsoft account security information when you add a new email address or phone number. A verification code will be sent to the email address or phone number that you're adding to the Microsoft account. The information will only be added after the correct verification code is entered and verified.